KENYA: Bishop Reiterates Pope Francis’ Message to Kenyans
Almost one and a half year after Pope Francis’ Apostolic Voyage to Africa, his message to Kenyans is still fresh.
Launching the Lenten campaign at the University of Nairobi Graduation square, the very place where the Holy Father Pope Francis celebrated his first Mass in Africa, the Chairman of Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) – Catholic Justice and Peace Commission Rt. Rev. Cornelius Korir reminded Kenyans that the Holy Father warned Kenyans about the evils of tribalism and how it can destroy a country if the people do not rise above it and build a cohesive and integrated nation.
Bishop Korir who is the Bishop of Eldoret said that corruption and stealing of public resources is strangling any meaningful development in the country right from the counties to the national level adding that, it is very sad to see the millions of Kenyans wallowing in abject poverty while some very few people are amassing wealth and enjoying themselves as if the poor do not exist.
“Similarly we still remember his strong words on corruption and how if nothing is done urgently to stop this cancer it will kill the moral fibre of our nation,” he reiterated
Bishop Korir mentioned that, Pope Francis also wanted the leaders to focus on the youth of Kenya and come up with programs that will give the youth hope and employment otherwise the nation shall continue experiencing the problem of radicalization and despair that is gripping the young generation.
He added that, living together as one people and one nation is possible if Kenyans live the kind of life that the Lord Jesus presents to them. “In the Gospel he is teaching us about the beatitudes. He maps the way that leads to conversion of heart and brings us true peace. “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God. Let us make a commitment in this field where Pope Francis celebrated Holy Mass with us to work for peace and to ensure that we have peaceful and credible elections,” he said
The Bishop encouraged Kenyans to learn to forgive each other and seek for ways of reconciliation both at the individual and community level. “St. Paul in the second letter wants us to forgive each other as Christ has forgiven us. In the history of this Country immediately after independence the founding Father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta emphasized the need for forgiveness. So that instead of dwelling on the past injustices, Kenyans would forge ahead and concentrate on nation building,” he said
He pleaded with Kenyans not to allow themselves to be overtaken by feelings of hatred, revenge and retaliation since the Lord Jesus himself asked us to love our enemies and pray for them.
By Rose Achiego
